Baked Banana Oatmeal

I recently came across this recipe on Lynn's Kitchen Adventures. It was a big hit with my kids the first time I made it. This recipe makes a lot of oatmeal so I'm thinking about halving it the next time I make it. We ate the leftovers a couple days later and it reheated well and tasted just as good as the first day.

Baked Banana Oatmeal

3 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup mashed banana or about 3 bananas
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and stir well. Spread in a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. If you like it a little crunchy on top, cook for a few minutes longer. You can serve this with warm milk poured over top.

Strawberry Freezer Jam

2 cups crushed strawberries (can use a potato masher to crush)
4 cups sugar
1 (1.75 oz) package dry pectin
3/4 cup water
Freezable containers

Mix crushed strawberries with sugar and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the pectin into the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 1 minute. Stir the boiling water into the strawberries. Allow to stand for 3 minutes before pouring into jars or other storage containers.

Place tops on the containers and leave for 24 hrs. Place into freezer and store frozen until ready to use. Recipe makes 5 8oz containers.